Some Hoarding Help, Please!

Recently I received a question about hoarding on my website so, I thought I would share with you my response.

 

Hello Rachel,*
I don’t know if you are struggling with hoarding yourself or have a family member with hoarding tendencies. Either is a hard situation, wears on the mental state of the hoarder, and can have devastating effects on family relationships.

Hoarding is an extreme case of chronic disorganization, usually accompanied by another medical condition such as Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCD), Depression, Social Phobia, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), or Dementia. In other words, there is a mental/emotional component that either triggers or feeds the hoarding problem.

I am currently working with several hoarders. We are making headway on de-cluttering, slowly and surely, so it can be done. Maintaining order and how to avoid over-acquiring in the future will be something we will work on as well. :)

These are a few resources I recommend for info on hoarding.

 

Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) Resources:

This association, founded by Judith Kolberg, was formerly called The National Study Group for Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD). ICD does a tremendous job at disseminating information helpful to professional organizers and mental health professionals on working with folks with CD.

Free fact sheets for public :http://www.nsgcd.org/content/fact-sheets-public-0
Free Clutter-Hoarding Scale assessment tool:http://www.nsgcd.org/content/clutter-8212-hoarding-scale
Teleclass recording:  Introduction to Hoarding, Presented by Geralin Thomas, CPO-CD® [pro organizer seen on television show Hoarders]

This class will provide an overview of hoarding.  We will discuss the fundamental components, complexities and characteristics concerning issues involving those with a hoarding disorder.

Purchase and listen to this teleclass

 
Excellent Books on Hoarding:

  

 

What Every Professional Organizer Needs to Know About Hoarding [Paperback]Judith Kolberg (Author) [founder of NSGCD now ICD]

Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding [Paperback] David F. Tolin (Author), Randy O. Frost (Author), Gail Steketee(Author)

The Hoarder in You: How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life [Hardcover] Robin Zasio (Author) [Therapist seen on television show Hoarders]

I hope you will find info to help you, Rachel.*